IHS Holdings Acquires Brazil’s Cell Site Solutions as it Continues its Emerging Markets Expansion

IHS Holdings, one of the largest telecommunications infrastructure providers in Africa, has announced its acquisition of Cell Site Solutions (CSS), an infrastructure solutions provider in Brazil.

Founded in 2012, CSS provides infrastructure it has built or purchased to wireless telecommunications networks and broadcast companies in Brazil, Peru and Colombia. Currently, CSS has approximately 2,290 towers and other telecommunications infrastructure sites in the countries it operates.

Though the amount for the deal was not made known, the acquisition gives IHS a 100% ownership in the Brazilian company which will be fully integrated into IHS.

The purchase which was made from affiliates of Goldman Sachs and Centaurus Capital LP is still, however, subject to regulatory approvals.

As part of the deal, the current management and employees of CSS will join IHS as the company rolls out a full integration of CSS.

This acquisition gives IHS a huge boost as it further complements the company’s offering. Importantly, it enhances IHS in its drive to bring increased connectivity to emerging markets and pursue the strategic expansion goal of becoming the world’s leading emerging markets towerco.

With plans since April for an expansion into the Middle East and Asia, the acquisition of CSS adds 3 new markets in the Latin America region to IHS – a potential growth to the business.

“I am delighted to announce that through the acquisition of CSS, IHS is expanding its footprint into Latin America. In particular, and as the largest market within this region, Brazil offers an exciting platform enabling us to go deeper into this new geography… we are also very excited about providing our vast range of offerings to the markets in Peru and Colombia.”

Sam Darwish, Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, IHS.

With IHS currently operating more than 23,000 towers in Africa, of which most are in Nigeria, it could be looking at owning over 25,000 once the deal is completed.